What is the primary goal of reconstruction? Reunification, punishment, civil rights, other? (Thesis) We believe that the civil war was fought on the foundation of basic civil rights for all humans regardless of skin color. In the wake of reconstruction, we must continue to push forward and grow to be the nation that our founders created us to be. The statement “All men are created equal” that exists in the Declaration of Independence must prove to be authentic. Until no man is held superior over another, the dream of international peace and morality will be an unattainable illusion. While unification is important to stress in this time of turmoil, the rights for all men, women, and children of all races must be placed at the forefront of our attention. If we aren't unified about civil rights for all people, then we don't need to be unified. The war isn't over.
What should be done to the ex-Confederates?
Republicans were reluctant to deal forthright with the question of civil liberties for blacks, and this led to the loose, ambivalent, open language used in the Fourteenth and Fifteenth amendments. Because of this, the amendments that intended to grant blacks their liberties were open to being interpreted and twisted in a way of hostility towards African American rights. The predominant problem in Reconstruction was white racism. A plan that properly deals with racial adjustment would have to include prosecution of those who committed acts of violent racism towards the freedmen, enforced by the federal government. In addition, ex-Confederates who owned slaves would have a portion of their wealth distributed throughout freed slaves, as it was their work that acquired such wealth in the first place. This would, once again, be enforced by the federal government. White leadership had little desire to fight for black rights, and Republicans were too moderate in their views of reconstruction as it pertained to racial adjustment. The federal government needed to focus their attention enforcing the the laws that protect the civil liberties of the freedman and fabricating race relations that would never be interpreted in any way other than equality for all people.
What should be done for the freedmen? African Americans should be guaranteed equal rights and assisted in starting their new lives as free people. Freedmen must be considered full citizens just as much as whites, which allows them to vote. Most importantly, the state military must have control over all laws that assist the freedmen. Otherwise, the federal military will be forced to intervene. The North and South states will pay a small tax that helps to fund freedmen’s education.
Who should be able to vote and hold office in the new Southern state governments? High ranking officers (those determined by the North to be the most influential in the war) within the confederate army shall not be able to run in government. However, all confederates retain the right to vote in elections. The amount of new representation provided by freed slaves in the South can be counteracted by giving all women the right to vote. The objective of this is to maintain the previous balance of voters. Eradicating the three-fifths stigma and providing women the right to vote is truly a win-win scenario.
What requirements must be met before states regain full rights and representation? 25 percent of Southern voters who voted in the election of 1860 must have expressed their loyalty to the Union. This serves as a slightly stricter version of Lincoln’s 10 percent plan. As well as this, these individuals must agree to permit women to vote. States must also agree to have their state armies enforce the new laws that protect all civil rights.
How should the Southern economy be restored? Beginning a lottery in the south for all southern states would serve as a way to fund reconstruction. The North will pay a small tax to help cover the expenses for Southern restoration. This enforces rhetoric used by Lincoln in his Second Inaugural Address when he said that “both parties deprecated war; but one of them would make war rather than let the nation survive; and the other would accept war rather than let it perish. And the war came.” This will help justify the light taxation upon the Northerners.
What role should Union troops play in policing, governing, or rebuilding the South? Union soldiers will be lightly stationed throughout the Southern outskirts of towns to limit violence against freedmen and others, but if the Southern States fail to abide by the laws and the state armies fail to protect all people, then the North will be permitted to send greater forces into the parts of the South where violence is most imminent.
Re-state the primary goal of reconstruction. (Thesis re-stated) The most important goal for this reconstruction time period is to make sure that all human beings are given equal voting rights and rights that protect their well-being as humans. We hope to balance the amount of money paid by both the North and South in hopes that education can be funded by the government and freedmen in the South will be protected by Southern, and if necessary, Northern troops. The South is not fully to blame for the war, so they should not take all of the heat.
Prepare a response to an "opposition" group. In your response you will need to point out the flaws and weaknesses and/or the strengths of their plan. The day after we present, be sure to upload your response at the bottom of their page. You will also need to be ready to challenge their plan in class, as their group presents.
What is the primary goal of reconstruction? Reunification, punishment, civil rights, other? (Thesis)
We believe that the civil war was fought on the foundation of basic civil rights for all humans regardless of skin color. In the wake of reconstruction, we must continue to push forward and grow to be the nation that our founders created us to be. The statement “All men are created equal” that exists in the Declaration of Independence must prove to be authentic. Until no man is held superior over another, the dream of international peace and morality will be an unattainable illusion. While unification is important to stress in this time of turmoil, the rights for all men, women, and children of all races must be placed at the forefront of our attention. If we aren't unified about civil rights for all people, then we don't need to be unified. The war isn't over.
What should be done to the ex-Confederates?
Republicans were reluctant to deal forthright with the question of civil liberties for blacks, and this led to the loose, ambivalent, open language used in the Fourteenth and Fifteenth amendments. Because of this, the amendments that intended to grant blacks their liberties were open to being interpreted and twisted in a way of hostility towards African American rights. The predominant problem in Reconstruction was white racism. A plan that properly deals with racial adjustment would have to include prosecution of those who committed acts of violent racism towards the freedmen, enforced by the federal government. In addition, ex-Confederates who owned slaves would have a portion of their wealth distributed throughout freed slaves, as it was their work that acquired such wealth in the first place. This would, once again, be enforced by the federal government. White leadership had little desire to fight for black rights, and Republicans were too moderate in their views of reconstruction as it pertained to racial adjustment. The federal government needed to focus their attention enforcing the the laws that protect the civil liberties of the freedman and fabricating race relations that would never be interpreted in any way other than equality for all people.
What should be done for the freedmen?
African Americans should be guaranteed equal rights and assisted in starting their new lives as free people. Freedmen must be considered full citizens just as much as whites, which allows them to vote. Most importantly, the state military must have control over all laws that assist the freedmen. Otherwise, the federal military will be forced to intervene. The North and South states will pay a small tax that helps to fund freedmen’s education.
Who should be able to vote and hold office in the new Southern state governments?
High ranking officers (those determined by the North to be the most influential in the war) within the confederate army shall not be able to run in government. However, all confederates retain the right to vote in elections. The amount of new representation provided by freed slaves in the South can be counteracted by giving all women the right to vote. The objective of this is to maintain the previous balance of voters. Eradicating the three-fifths stigma and providing women the right to vote is truly a win-win scenario.
What requirements must be met before states regain full rights and representation?
25 percent of Southern voters who voted in the election of 1860 must have expressed their loyalty to the Union. This serves as a slightly stricter version of Lincoln’s 10 percent plan. As well as this, these individuals must agree to permit women to vote. States must also agree to have their state armies enforce the new laws that protect all civil rights.
How should the Southern economy be restored?
Beginning a lottery in the south for all southern states would serve as a way to fund reconstruction. The North will pay a small tax to help cover the expenses for Southern restoration. This enforces rhetoric used by Lincoln in his Second Inaugural Address when he said that “both parties deprecated war; but one of them would make war rather than let the nation survive; and the other would accept war rather than let it perish. And the war came.” This will help justify the light taxation upon the Northerners.
What role should Union troops play in policing, governing, or rebuilding the South?
Union soldiers will be lightly stationed throughout the Southern outskirts of towns to limit violence against freedmen and others, but if the Southern States fail to abide by the laws and the state armies fail to protect all people, then the North will be permitted to send greater forces into the parts of the South where violence is most imminent.
Re-state the primary goal of reconstruction. (Thesis re-stated)
The most important goal for this reconstruction time period is to make sure that all human beings are given equal voting rights and rights that protect their well-being as humans. We hope to balance the amount of money paid by both the North and South in hopes that education can be funded by the government and freedmen in the South will be protected by Southern, and if necessary, Northern troops. The South is not fully to blame for the war, so they should not take all of the heat.
Prepare a response to an "opposition" group. In your response you will need to point out the flaws and weaknesses and/or the strengths of their plan. The day after we present, be sure to upload your response at the bottom of their page. You will also need to be ready to challenge their plan in class, as their group presents.